Once upon a time, in "Phu Bak Dai", Loei Province.

The first time in my life with the friendship of hiking and camping on the mountain at "Phu Buk Dai".

Every journey begins from "Phu Bak Dai".

Hello everyone! This time, "Traveling Interpreter" will review a solo trip, but not a lonely one, I'll tell you. This trip is a hike and camping on the mountain at Phu Bak Dai, Phu Ruea District, Loei Province. You ask when I went hiking? I don't want to say that I went on a trip between January 7-8, 2017. This is the first trip of 2017.

This is a personal reflection on a past trip, acknowledging the delay in writing about it. The author initially hesitated but ultimately decided to document the experience, noting that other trips have been recorded. The post concludes with a humorous self-deprecating remark about the length of the introduction and expresses gratitude to photographers, particularly one named "พี่ติง," for their contributions.

This trip was a spontaneous decision. It was my first time hiking and camping alone. I wondered if it would be strange to go alone and if sleeping in a tent alone would be scary. When I was deciding whether to go on this hiking trip, I thought long and hard because I only had two days and one person. I went on Saturday and came back on Sunday. Going alone was a tough decision, and the journey from Chonburi to Loei Province was not close.

This trip involved a multi-modal journey, starting with a van from Si Racha to the BTS Skytrain, followed by a taxi, a plane, another taxi, a local "e-taek" truck, and finally, a walk to the destination. The return trip mirrored the outbound journey, culminating in a van ride back to Si Racha, Chonburi. While the travel was tiring, it was also an enjoyable and adventurous experience.

The journey involved a considerable number of transfers, and the individuals in these photos are fellow hikers I met before embarking on the trip. We got acquainted and decided to embark on the adventure together as we shared the same guide. As you can see, I was no longer alone and had companions to chat with during the trip, putting an end to my loneliness.

*Following this photo, we traveled by "e-taek" (a type of local vehicle) to the starting point of the hike, which was quite a distance away. So, while we were riding in the "e-taek," let me tell you about the background of this trip.

The photo was taken for a group that had already set off in advance. My brother asked me to take a picture of them before we met up on the mountain. However, little did I know that after meeting them for this photo, we wouldn't see each other again on the mountain. I have no idea where they went. If any of you in this photo see this travelogue of mine, I would like to leave this picture of you as a reminder.

Continuing on, before deciding to go on this trip, I searched for all kinds of information about Phu Bak Dai. At that time, there wasn't much information available because it had only recently become known. You could say that I did a lot of research and homework. I called the Phu Luang National Park to inquire about various details and found a number to make a reservation in advance. I obtained Uncle Cherd's number, as you can see from the calendar below. I made the reservation over a week before the long New Year's weekend.

After contacting and booking the trip, we booked our flights. If I remember correctly, there were only two airlines that flew directly to the airport: Nok Air and AirAsia. We flew Nok Air on the way there and AirAsia on the way back. However, Nok Air was a propeller plane, and that was my first time ever being on a propeller plane. The plane was also very, very small. I have to admit that I was a little nervous, haha. But everything went smoothly. The journey was quite long, and it took many steps to reach the top of Phu Bak Dai.

The peak we need to take the e-taek to reach the starting point of the hike is over there. However, we won't park at the peak itself, but rather at a designated parking area somewhere in the middle of the mountain. I'm not sure how to describe it exactly, but there's a specific spot where we can park.

Before embarking on this trip, I invited both Thai and foreign friends, but they all declined from the beginning of the year. Haha! I understand that many people are not ready to travel yet because they just had a long New Year's holiday. But I've been excited since the beginning of the year because my goal for this year is to "travel as much as possible." Moreover, my current company operates from Monday to Friday and is closed every Saturday and Sunday, giving me more time to travel. So, let's go all out without hesitation and not regret the money spent on various trips.

The scenic views along the way were truly breathtaking, a natural source of joy. In the past, I was hesitant to travel alone, unsure whether it was fear or simply a lack of desire. Now, I am confident enough to embark on solo trips, having overcome my fear of traveling alone. My previous experiences traveling solo to foreign countries have instilled in me a sense of independence. I realized that I should explore my own country, as I had hardly done so before. This newfound appreciation for Thailand has led me to embrace domestic travel, supporting local businesses and experiencing the beauty of my homeland.

The "e-taek" truck can accommodate passengers both in the front and back. Passengers in the back will have difficulty getting in, while those in the front will have difficulty getting out. However, it's incredibly exciting.

Upon arriving at the airport, the taxi driver I had booked was already waiting for me. I got a special price because he was a friend of someone at my company. We traveled from the city center to Phu Ruea district. Before entering the village, we stopped at a 7-Eleven to stock up on food for lunch, dinner, and breakfast. However, there was only bread and two bottles of water available, which was not enough.

The air was thick with dust, so much so that it seemed to be raining down. My shoes, clothes, and hair were all covered in it. As we approached the village, I started to worry that we might be lost because the phone signal kept dropping and the internet wouldn't work. I wondered where the central village was located. For a moment, I panicked, thinking we were lost, but we finally arrived safely.

We waited for the others, and the group that arrived earlier had already left. In my group, two people arrived last (the two people in the picture above, JJ and Ting). They rode motorcycles and had even been to Chiang Khan. They were incredibly tough!

Okay, everyone was ready, the motorcycle was ready, and we had some supplies, so it was time to set off.

Upon learning that I wouldn't be traveling alone, but would be joined by four fellow travelers, a guide, and myself, making a total of six people, I was overjoyed. This unexpected turn of events filled me with excitement and a sense of relief, as I had anticipated a lonely journey. The prospect of meeting new people from diverse backgrounds further heightened my anticipation. Moreover, the shared expenses, including the guide's fees, would be significantly reduced, making the trip even more appealing.

As we traveled by e-taek, we chatted with our fellow passengers to get to know them better. We asked them where they were from, what they did for a living, and why they were traveling alone. The conversation flowed easily, and we took photos along the way.

There it is! The goal is within reach, but it's still a long way to go on foot. 555+

The scenic views along the way remained breathtaking, despite the challenging winding roads.

This is the "Itachack" car, the hero of this event. Judging from its condition, it doesn't look like it will survive, but it's tough! The driver sits in the middle, while the passengers sit in the front and back. This stop is for a bathroom break, and we're only halfway there. But let's warp to the walking street! 555+

And then we arrived at the starting point of our hike. We left the "e-taek" (a kind of local taxi) parked here. No one will steal it, haha! We had to walk up a small hill, not too far, maybe about 300 meters. It wasn't far, but it still made us tired.

The terrain on the mountain is relatively flat, spanning approximately 2-3 kilometers. The hike is not strenuous and can be completed at a leisurely pace.

Upon reaching the top, take a deep breath of fresh air. You might smell the faint scent of wild elephant dung. Yes, there are wild elephants and free-range cows living in harmony with nature. We encountered cows but not wild elephants. Nevertheless, be cautious of wild elephants.

Walking, resting, and taking photos along the way was a different kind of fun. This photo was taken by my brother Ting. I was already tired from walking, but I still had the energy to jump. 555+

But wait! Why am I walking alone on the cliff? 555+ Well, I'm confused myself as to why I came out to walk alone. Even now, I'm still confused!

After a short walk, we arrived at our destination: the vast campsite atop Phu Bak Dai. The expansive grassy field offered numerous options for pitching our tent. We initially chose a spot in the center, but a local uncle suggested we move to a location near a rocky outcrop for wind protection. Thankfully, he advised us before we finished setting up. We readily agreed to relocate, trusting the local's knowledge.

It's time to pitch the tent. Thank you to both of you for helping to pitch the tent for this little boy. We worked together. Hehe.

Bring your own tent. Sleeping bags can be rented from Uncle Cherd for 100 baht each. I didn't bring a sleeping bag because I thought it wouldn't be cold, so I didn't prepare any bedding. I only had long pants, a warm jacket, and a towel (which I intended to use as a blanket, hehe). By the time I finished setting up the tent, it was already late in the evening. The sun was about to set, so I went to see the view and take pictures at Pha Lo Kluang.

Oh oh, wait, this isn't a fake cliff, but a real cliff, really high, no stuntman. Those who are afraid should not imitate it ;)

Let's go take a picture together. Let's sit in a row. Be careful not to fall. The cliff at this rock ledge is very high.

Help me, JJ! Pull me up! I almost fell when I sat down. Who would have thought? They were all smiling so brightly. 5555+

Unfortunately, there are no pictures of the nighttime atmosphere where we sat around a campfire, eating instant noodles with sausages and chatting with a large group of people. One of the most memorable things about the trip was the kindness of my fellow travelers who shared their food with me. As I mentioned earlier, I had only brought bread with me, thinking it would be easy to eat since I was traveling alone and wouldn't be cooking. However, when the time came, there was rice, meat, and instant noodles with eggs and sausages. It was a truly satisfying and delicious meal. I am grateful to all my fellow travelers for their kindness. Uncle also brought a lot of sticky rice, which he shared with everyone. The girls next to me also shared their meat with me. I am so grateful, I can't even express it.

As I mentioned earlier, I thought it wouldn't be cold at night. However, when I opened the tent at night, I was surprised. When the wind blew hard, I thought, "What's happening? Is it raining? Why is the tent shaking so much?" The tent was also very wet with dew. It's a good thing I rented a sleeping bag, otherwise I would have been freezing. In the morning, the fog was everywhere.

Waking up early, we sat by the fire amidst the mist to warm our bodies. At first, it was difficult to light the fire because the firewood we brought was soaked with dew. But nothing is too difficult for our uncle, haha! I can't remember what we ate this morning.

Dense fog obscures the view in all directions. Unable to sightsee, we pass the time by playing games and taking photos.

It is almost 8 am, but the fog shows no signs of thinning. It is still as thick as ever. I guess I'll go out and take some pictures with the fog.

Do you see the fog? What time is it? When will the fog clear? I want to see the view. 555+

While sitting and taking photos on this cliff, I didn't feel any danger. It was quite relaxing. However, looking back at these photos, I can't help but imagine various scenarios. "Wow, it's so high! How did I dare to sit there? What if I had slipped and fallen?" Haha, I guess my mind can wander sometimes.

The fog remains thick as ever. I'm waiting for it to clear, but I'm getting tired of seeing it. Hurry up and dissipate!

As the mist gradually dissipated, revealing the breathtaking panorama of the pristine forest below, one couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite artistry of nature.

The fog had completely dissipated by around 9:00 AM, revealing a clear sky. This provided ample opportunity to capture stunning photographs from any desired angle.

After taking photos to our heart's content, we returned to pack our belongings and prepare for our journey back. In no time at all, the sun became scorching, and we were caught off guard by the sudden change in weather.

And here are my fellow travelers whom I met on this trip. I first encountered these ladies before we set off from the starting point, but I never thought that we would end up meeting again and camping in the same zone. Traveling solo doesn't mean being alone, and I even made some new friends along the way.

Friendship is always beautiful. It was a pleasure meeting everyone. Thank you for making our paths cross during this trip. Even though I may have forgotten some names, I still remember your faces. Haha! With some of you, we exchanged Face, Insta, and Line, and we still keep in touch. ;)

Image title: Life is ours, so freedom is ours too :)

This is our guide for this trip, Uncle. He helped us carry our belongings, but not mine. I carried mine myself because I felt sorry for him carrying so much. But he was still very strong and energetic. I give him a big thumbs up!

A quick selfie before heading back. Don't mind the selfie stick, it's actually a tripod. Haha!

Walking in such an orderly fashion, just like when we were kids. 555+

It's time to head back! Today, the sky is clear and bright, but the sun is a bit too hot.

After a tiring walk, I sat down to enjoy the view. The stunning scenery made me forget all about my fatigue. I wish I could freeze time here at Phu Bak Dai.

Observe the shape of this tree carefully. You will notice that it leans to the right. It is said to be a "wind-swept tree." I don't know if it's true, but it's beautiful.

It seems that it is raining on the other side of this picture. It's beautiful in a different way, but please don't rain here now, or I'll get soaked.

Upon reaching the starting point of the hike, we quickly loaded our belongings onto the "e-taek" (a type of local vehicle) and descended back to the village. However, the sky darkened ominously, threatening rain. We desperately hoped it wouldn't start raining at that moment. Fortunately, the rain held off until we reached the village. After settling in, our guide, Uncle, invited us to shower at his house, as the communal shower at the village headman's house was crowded. The water was incredibly cold, and not even lukewarm. A few quick splashes were enough to send shivers down our spines. As soon as we finished showering, the rain finally began to fall, but not heavily. We ventured out to find food, and during that time, the rain intensified. Our taxi driver arrived to pick us up, and our friends, Jay and Ting, entrusted their luggage to him to be delivered to the bus station. We bid farewell to each other, and just like that, our trip came to an end. It felt surprisingly quick.

Since embarking on this trip, I have developed a newfound appreciation for hiking. The experience of being surrounded by the beauty of nature has brought me immense joy. Given the opportunity, I would eagerly embark on another hiking adventure. This concludes my trip report.